The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-08-23
SHOT FROM THE BRUSH.
Tragic Death Of q Well.to. do Citizen
Near Forrest City, Ark.
The crime a Probable Sequel 90 a
Cold Hooded Murder By the
Dead Man I'm June, 1859.

Mr.. Z. D. Davenport, editor of the
Clarksdsle (Ark.) Broadaxe, was in
the city yesterday, and related to an
| AprrAL reporter the particulars Of an
sssassi nstion which occurred at Colts
Station, st, Francis county, on the st.
Louis, Arkansas and Texas railroad,
last Saturday night. The.scene Of the
tragedy was eight miles north Of For
rest City. While Mr.. Willism M.
Curtner was going from his house to
his gin, few hundred yards distant,
he WAS fred upon from ambush by
some one with ashotgun heavily load
cd with buckshot. The first charge
failed TO take effect and a secoLd was
fred, producing wounds from which
he died yesterday morning.
IL Is thought the killing IL the sequel
TO a double murder committed by
Ourtner In June, 1855, wherein two
youths named Nichols were shot dead
for alleged elimination OF the muir
dereI's daughter. The particulars OF
that tragedy are as follows:
Curtner kept general store at
Colts Station, and was doing a thriv-
ing business. Prior to June, 1888, re-
ports came to bis ears that the
Nichols boys, John, BiDes and Tom,
had been circu ating damaging re-
ports concerning his daughter. With
out making any inquiry as to the
truth or fslsity Of the iumors, he de-
termined upon his course for revenge,
which was 10 kill the reputed authors.
John aud Blnes Nichols visited his
store one day In June, and without q
word OF warning and no other provo
cation except the idle rumors OF the
young mems conduct, killed them.
Excitement ran very high at the time
In the neighborhood, ss the evidence
tended TO show deed cowsrdly as as
ssesination. One OF the victims was
sitting In chair, not thinking Of dan.
ger, when Curtner fred a bullet
through his heart, and the other, quite
young boy. made an attempt 20 o..
cape. He had succeeded In placipg
100 yards between Curtner and him.
cell when bullet from q Winchester
rhs pierced his back and entered the
heart, completely splitting II, from the
ELECTS OF which he died instantly. But
for the fact OF his d ght from the coun-
try the murderer would have been
speedily hanged, regardless Of law.
He remained away about Eoyen
months, when, thiaking popular in.
dignaiion had subsidized, he returned.
As ke was passing through Helena the
marshal arrested him and turned him
over to the ". Ffaocis county officers,
who placed him In jail. The beat legal
counsel Obtainsble Was retained by
Curtner, and they succeeded In secur
Ing his release on 1900 bail In each
case, and his trial was set for this fail.
There were continued mutterlnps and
threats made against tho slayer OF the
boys, bat nothing was thought OF them
until last Saturday night.
Tho impression 10 that the Nichols
boys have been avenged, 60 Tom, WHO
only returned from Texas q few days
ago, has made open threats. He ID
under sHest for the crime, but public
sympathy 10 In his favor.
Prior 10 the killing Of the Nichols
boys Curtner was favorably regarded
In hts neighborhood as q thrifty farm.
or and merchant. He was a man oil
pleasing address and engaging man.
nern.